Dungeon Master Tips | Attention to Details
When you begin creating content for your DnD games it can often seem overwhelming. That is today we will focus on the topic, attention to detail. Attention To Detail As Dungeon Masters we are constantly trying to create the best content for our players. And sometimes we can go a little bit overboard trying to do all we can to achieve this goal! Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, but details whether too little or too much can leave your players feeling disconnected. My Discoveries I have found that for my general scenes giving a descriptive that includes simple but powerful elements such as smells allows my players to not only see my world but also let’s them see it in their own way. Working in design I have learned that no matter how well I describe something people will always see it through their own eyes. So,…
What Is Alignment & What Does It Mean For My Character?
A Simple Scenario DM: “You and your party enter the Messy Puddle Tavern. It sits in the slums and the inside matches its name. You look around and notice that everything is a bit rundown. Including the people.” Player 1: “I look around, does anyone seem to be out of place?” *(Player 1 rolls)* DM: “Good roll! Everyone seems to be quiet and to themselves, but you do notice one guy looking over at you with scowl as he mutters something under his breath. He then…” Player 1: “I walk up and punch him in the face and threaten to kill him.” Player 2: “I thought you were lawful good? You can’t just do that…” Ok, maybe that’s a little crazy for some of you out there, but these types of scenarios can happen all the time in Dungeons and Dragons. And when they do, they often leave many players…
What The Heck is a West Marches Campaign?
What is a West Marches Styled Campaign? This is something that I have been seeing and hearing more and more about. Dungeon and Dragons games can often be hard for people with busy lives to commit to on a regular set date every week. So in a normal campaign when a player isn’t there one of a couple things can happen. The first possibility to consider is that the game may not happen at all. This is usually because that one or more of the players unable to attend are key to certain story arcs that are happening in the story. This can really suck because it can ruin everyone else’s plans for the day. You also run the chances of the game falling a part if missing players becomes a normal occurrence. Second problem when missing the game, is that the others move forward with the storyline. Leaving you…
10 Great D&D Gift Ideas For Your Gamer
The holidays are coming up fast, and if you are like many you may be struggling to find an awesome D&D gift idea for that gamer you love. Gift shopping can be challenging, and if you’re not a Dungeons and Dragons fan you’ve probably been asking yourself a ton of questions. What are all these different types of dice? What in the world does a dungeon master do? And while those are great questions, they won’t help you with picking out that perfect gift! So we have put together a list of some great options for a variety of prices! Cool D&D gift ideas for tabletop gamers Even if you are not a Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) fan these gifts were chosen because they appeal to most players. If you are a fan then you already know that your buddy who dungeon masters for your group deserves a present for…
Great Tips For Roleplaying With Kids
Children are better roleplayers than adults. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. As far back as we have studied development in children, we have learned that it is one of the key ways they learn and grow. Now it may not be like D&D or some other awesome TTRPG (Tabletop Roleplaying Game), but children have been creating their own stories and games using their imagination for forever! RPG Benefits For Children Kids are constantly recreating worlds and games in their heads. They are practically mimics. In these imagined games and adventures, they become heroes, villains and act out various personalities. It allows them to try out different behaviors and interactions. Early childhood development professionals know roleplaying helps with development in many ways. A ton of research has been done on it. RPGs give kids a chance to work on problem-solving, math, and story-telling abilities, all through the use of…
Why Should I Try Being A Dungeon Master?
What Is A Dungeon Master? A Dungeon Master (DM) or a Game Master (GM) is an individual who is courageous enough to create and share a story, characters, challenges, and treasure with other people to experience and also help build further. It is tough and both time consuming and creatively exhausting (at times). But this doesn’t mean it is not equally fulfilling. Being a DM allows a player to dive deep into their mind and create their own “book” or “movie”. And like many great movies and shows, you get to work with other amazing creative people to make something entertaining and memorable. Something that will leave lasting impressions on everyone involved. Not only that but, your game might do even more for you and your players. Benefits of Running Dungeons and Dragons I recently ran a table at a local convention. This convention was mostly geared towards video gaming…
How To Be The Best Dungeon Master
Dungeon Mastering (DMing) For many is fun, exciting, and a great way to express creativity. But it isn’t all fun and games (pun intended) there is lots of planning, and world-building. As well as learning to adapt to players who can take your story and go east when they were “suppose” to go west… That is when Dungeon Mastering can quickly feel overwhelming and if you are not prepared even stressful. As DMs, we often feel it is our sole responsibility to create an amazing adventure for the other players at our table, and we can quickly forget that it isn’t on us alone to make a grand adventure great. To say it plainly, it is everyone’s responsibility at the table, to tell a good story. The DMs job is to initially lay down the scene, and then build off the player’s choices and react to their actions. Where the…
Does my D&D Game really need a Dice Tower?
A common question is, “Does my D&D game really need a dice tower?” To be able to answer that you have to know more about what dice towers are. Dungeons and Dragons is a game that requires very little. Some game books, a set of dice, and the willingness to dive into your imagination and build a story. And while that’s all you really need to play, there are many other great products out there to improve your experience and fun. Products Some examples include miniatures, dice trays, DM Screens, gaming tables, and dice towers. Miniatures help players visualize a battlefield and breath more life into their characters. Dice trays help prevent dice from bouncing all over the place. DM screens allow DM’s to work their game prep magic away from player’s curious eyes. Gaming tables… well they are just awesome. Period! Benefits of a Dice Tower I find a…
What You Need to Play Dungeons and Dragons
Getting into Dungeons & Dragons can be scary for new players. It’s a game that requires you to find at least 1-3 other willing participants to really get started. Also, some of the items can be pricey and you need to find a place to play. Many new players find it’s a lot to process. So, where do you begin, what do you need to play and how do you find D&D-curious friends? Many interested players often want to know how to “break into the D&D multiverse“. The easiest and most common solution is to find a nearby hobby shop that hosts the D&D Adventurer’s League or runs other D&D adventures. Many of these hobby stores have seasoned dungeon masters who run ongoing adventures. New players can learn the rules and then jump into the games. Learn the Rules and Find Players Some other outlets to find groups can be found inside Reddit boards or local…